MaltaWildplants.com FORUM

Maltawildplants.com is now considered an online flora of the Maltese islands, portraying more than 900 species of plants found in Maltese habitats. It harbours a forum created in 2005 were memberes discuss topics about the Maltese flora and ID of plants.

Another common species around the Maltese Islands found in shallow waters among Posidonia and often found beached in large numbers on shores after storms. This is Jujubinus exasperatus (Pennant, 1777). Specimen below were found beached at Gnejna in February 2002. Size 11mm

Sometimes it is difficult to differentiate this species from Jujubinus striatus. In Exasperatus the basal cord is more marked, and there are usually 4 spiral cords in each segment (in Striatus there are usually a larger number: 6-10). Besides the species grows to larger sizes.

Thanks for the info. For me thay are pretty all the same ! (like Ophrys spp. are for many !)

Keep it up for including mollusca species on the maltafauna.com website.

btw. If they do not have Maltese name, leave the field blank (instead the species name) so automaticaly, it becomes 'no Maltese name' , unless it is common practice to use the species name as Maltese name in the Mollusca world.

another common species from shallow bays - Clanculus jussieui. It is a small species reaching a maximum of 13mm in size. The genus Clanculus is distinguished by the fact that they have a toothed columella. Clanculus jussieui is distinguished from other members of the genus as it has a smooth shell which lacks any ornamentation.
Specimens below were found beached at Gnejna Bay in February 2002.

Just started the genus Gibbula.
The first species is the very common Gibbula varia. As it's name implies it is very variable in colouration which vaires from dirty white to reddish-brown. It is a flattish species with a deep and wide umbilicus. Sculpture is limited to concentric (circular) cords.

Another common and widespread species, the larger Gibbula ardens which can reach up to 15mm in size.
Differs from Gibbula umbilicaris in having a large aperture and a columellar fold. From other Gibbula species in having a deep channelled suture and the columellar fold.

A rare species around our shores reaching mostly up to 6mm in size. Has characteristic structure with 4 strong concentric cords with fine oblique lamellae between cords. My only specimen of around 3mm was found beached at Pretty Bay.

Another rare species which is however quite frequent at Gnejna Bay. My specimens were found beached there. This species has 3-4 rather strong concentric cords on the last whorl that are characteristic. Reaches up to 11mm in size.